Eintracht Frankfurt vs West Ham United
UEFA Europa League, KO: 20:00 May 5, 2022, Deutsche Bank Park
WEST HAM UNITED have a mountain to climb if they're to reach the Europa League Final but they have previous when it comes to overturning semi-final deficits against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Hammers trail 2-1 heading into the second leg, just like they did in the Cup Winners' Cup semi back in 1976 before turning it around with a 3-1 victory in the return.
But that historic triumph came at Upton Park and the class of 2022 will need to mount their revival on German soil after flopping at the London Stadium when I tipped them to win.
Eintracht Frankfurt put their disappointing domestic form behind them once again to claim another impressive European result after knocking out La Liga giants Real Betis and Barcelona.
That has put Oliver Glasner's men in the driving seat for a return to Spain for the final in Seville but it would be foolish to write West Ham off as some of their finest displays in Europe have come on the road.
David Moyes' men won 3-0 in Lyon in the quarter-final after triumphs in Zagreb and Vienna during the group stage. They were poor in the first leg but their whole season now comes down to 90 minutes in Frankfurt and they will give everything to reach the final.
Both sides head into this crunch off the back of domestic defeats, with Frankfurt losing in Leverkusen and the Hammers crashing to Arsenal, but one of them will now get the ultimate pick-me-up of reaching a European final.
How the bookies view it
Eintracht Frankfurt are 3/10 hot favourites to reach the final after their triumph in London while plenty of West Ham fans will fancy the 14/5 on offer at BoyleSport for their heroes to turn things around. For a win on the night, the Hammers are shorter at 19/10 (Bet365), with Frankfurt a best 32/21 (SBK) and the draw paying 5/2 (QuinnBet).
Head to head
Eintracht Frankfurt just edge the head to head after that first-leg victory (below), with the only other meeting coming in the 1976 semi-final.
Players to watch
Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada scored in the first leg and has chipped in with nine goals for Eintracht Frankfurt this season. He has scored on his last two starts and is 4/1 with Betfred for anytime scorer here.
Declan Rice has stepped up for West Ham when they most need him and the midfielder will have to deliver another inspirational display in this semi-final. Three of his five goals for the Hammers this term have come in Europe and he's 11/1 with SkyBet for another strike in Frankfurt.
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing West Ham in the corner handicap salvaged my night of punting in the first leg and I'll revisit that bet here. The Hammers are 6/5 with Bet365 to win most corners and 4/5 at the same firm for +1 in the handicap.
We only saw two cards in the first leg but things could get a bit more fiery here with so much at stake. I've yet to see a market for total cards but prices are available for individual players. Austrian stopper Martin Hinteregger was booked in the first leg and now has 11 yellows and one red to his name this term. He's 11/4 with Bet365 for another card which looks decent value.
West Ham have to score so that leaves them prone to counter attacks. Unibet are offering 21/20 on Eintracht being caught offside over 1.5 times and that appeals as the Hammers can't defend deep.
This UEFA Europa League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and West Ham United will be played on May 5, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Eintracht Frankfurt vs West Ham United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
